Production of methyl acetate from reactants containing methyl groups

Abstract

A method of producing methyl acetate from methanol in which methanol and carbon monoxide are reacted in a first reaction zone to provide a reaction product including methyl acetate, acetic acid, and unreacted methanol. The reaction product then is passed to a second reaction zone, wherein the acetic acid is reacted with the unreacted methanol to provide additional methyl acetate. The method is a more efficient method for producing methyl acetate from methanol in that acetic acid is not separated from the reaction product.

1 . A method of producing methyl acetate from methanol, comprising:
 (a) reacting methanol with carbon monoxide in a first reaction zone to provide a reaction product comprising methyl acetate, acetic acid, and unreacted methanol; and   (b) passing said reaction product from step (a) to a second reaction zone, whereby said acetic acid is reacted with said unreacted methanol from step (a) to provide methyl acetate, wherein said first reaction zone and said second reaction zone are contained in a single reaction vessel.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said reaction product of step (a) further comprises water. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said reaction product of step (a) further comprises unreacted carbon monoxide. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein prior to step (b), said water is removed from said reaction product of step (a). 
     
     
         5 .- 6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said carbon monoxide is obtained from synthesis gas. 
     
     
         8 . A method of producing methyl acetate from methanol, comprising:
 (a) reacting a mixture of methanol and dimethyl ether with carbon monoxide in a first reaction zone to provide a reaction product comprising methyl acetate, acetic acid, and unreacted methanol; and   (b) passing said reaction product from step (a) to a second reaction zone, whereby said acetic acid is reacted with said unreacted methanol from step (a) to provide methyl acetate, wherein said first reaction zone and said second reaction zone are contained in a single reaction vessel.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said reaction product of step (a) further comprises water. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  whereas, prior to step (b), said water is removed from said reaction product of step (a). 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said reaction product of step (a) further comprises unreacted dimethyl ether. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8  where said reaction product of step (a) further comprises unreacted carbon monoxide. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8  wherein, in step (b), additional methanol has been passed to said second reaction zone without having been passed through said first reaction zone. 
     
     
         14 .- 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said carbon monoxide is obtained from synthesis gas. 
     
     
         17 . A method of producing at least one acetate from at least one alcohol and/or at least one ether, comprising:
 (a) reacting said at least one alcohol and/or at least one ether with carbon monoxide in a first reaction zone to provide a reaction product comprising at least one acetate, at least one acid, and unreacted at least one alcohol and/or unreacted at least one ether; and   (b) passing said reaction product from step (a) to a second reaction zone, whereby said at least one acid is reacted with at least one alcohol to provide at least one acetate, wherein said first reaction zone and said second reaction zone are contained in a single reaction vessel.